Proverbs 31

HCSB

Proverbs 31

The Words of Lemuel

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The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle^(a)^(A) that his mother taught him:

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What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?^(B)
What, son of my vows?

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Don’t spend your energy^(C) on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.^(D)

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It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings^(E) to drink wine^(F)
or for rulers to desire beer.

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Otherwise, they^(b) will drink,
forget what is decreed,^(G)
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.^(c)^(H)

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Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.^(I)

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Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.^(J)

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Speak up^(d) for those who have no voice,^(e)^(K)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.^(f)

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Speak up,^(g) judge righteously,^(L)
and defend the cause of^(h) the oppressed and needy.^(M)

In Praise of a Capable Wife

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Who can find a capable wife?⁽ⁱ⁾^(N)
She is far more precious than jewels.^(j)

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The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.

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She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.

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She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.

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She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.^(O)

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She rises while it is still night^(P)
and provides food for her household
and portions^(k) for her female servants.^(Q)

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She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.^(l)^(R)

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She draws on her strength^(m)
and reveals that her arms are strong.^(S)

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She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.^(T)

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She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.^(U)

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Her hands reach⁽ⁿ⁾ out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.^(V)

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She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.^(o)

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She makes her own bed coverings;^(W)
her clothing is fine linen^(X) and purple.^(Y)

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Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land.^(Z)

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She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts^(p) to the merchants.

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Strength^(AA) and honor are her clothing,^(AB)
and she can laugh at the time to come.^(AC)

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She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction^(q) is on her tongue.

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She watches over the activities of her household^(AD)
and is never idle.^(r)

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Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:

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“Many women^(s) are capable,
but you surpass them all!”^(AE)

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Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,^(AF)
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

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Give her the reward of her labor,^(t)
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Footnotes:

a. Proverbs 31:1: Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden

b. Proverbs 31:5: Lit he

c. Proverbs 31:5: Lit sons of affliction

d. Proverbs 31:8: Lit Open your mouth

e. Proverbs 31:8: Lit who are mute

f. Proverbs 31:8: Lit all the sons of passing away

g. Proverbs 31:9: Lit Open your mouth

h. Proverbs 31:9: Lit and justice for

i. Proverbs 31:10: Or a wife of quality, or a wife of noble character

j. Proverbs 31:10: Vv. 10-31 form an acrostic.

k. Proverbs 31:15: Or tasks

l. Proverbs 31:16: Or vineyard by her own labors

m. Proverbs 31:17: Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt

n. Proverbs 31:20: Lit Her hand reaches

o. Proverbs 31:21: LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet

p. Proverbs 31:24: Or sashes

q. Proverbs 31:26: Or and the teaching of kindness

r. Proverbs 31:27: Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness

s. Proverbs 31:29: Lit daughters

t. Proverbs 31:31: Lit the fruit of her hands

Cross references:

A. Proverbs 31:1: Proverbs 30:1

B. Proverbs 31:2: Isaiah 49:15

C. Proverbs 31:3: Proverbs 5:9

D. Proverbs 31:3: Deuteronomy 17:17; Nehemiah 13:26

E. Proverbs 31:4: Ecclesiastes 10:17

F. Proverbs 31:4: Proverbs 20:1

G. Proverbs 31:5: Hosea 4:11

H. Proverbs 31:5: Psalm 72:1-2; Isaiah 28:7

I. Proverbs 31:6: Job 3:20

J. Proverbs 31:7: Psalm 104:15

K. Proverbs 31:8: Job 29:12-17

L. Proverbs 31:9: Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16

M. Proverbs 31:9: Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:16

N. Proverbs 31:10: Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 19:14

O. Proverbs 31:14: 1 Kings 10:22

P. Proverbs 31:15: Proverbs 20:13

Q. Proverbs 31:15: Proverbs 27:27; Luke 12:42

R. Proverbs 31:16: Matthew 21:33

S. Proverbs 31:17: Proverbs 31:25

T. Proverbs 31:18: Matthew 25:8

U. Proverbs 31:19: Proverbs 31:13

V. Proverbs 31:20: Deuteronomy 15:11; Proverbs 22:9; Proverbs 31:9; Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:28

W. Proverbs 31:22: Proverbs 7:16

X. Proverbs 31:22: Genesis 41:42; Genesis 41:14

Y. Proverbs 31:22: Judges 8:26; Luke 16:19

Z. Proverbs 31:23: Ruth 4:1-2; Proverbs 24:7; Proverbs 31:31

AA. Proverbs 31:25: Proverbs 31:17

AB. Proverbs 31:25: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

AC. Proverbs 31:25: Proverbs 31:21

AD. Proverbs 31:27: Proverbs 31:15

AE. Proverbs 31:29: Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10

AF. Proverbs 31:30: 1 Peter 3:3-4